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The Canadian Press

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ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Premier Danny Williams denies he's threatened Conservatives in Newfoundland and Labrador who work for Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a federal election campaign.

Williams said Friday the accusation made by Federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn, who is leaving politics, isn't his style.

"Absolutely, categorically, that's untrue," he said.

Williams has promised to mount an Anything But Conservative or ABC campaign against the federal Conservatives in a federal election expected to be called Sunday over a series of disputes with Ottawa.

The premier has asked members of his Progressive Conservative caucus to make their allegiances known in a federal election.

On Friday, he said 43 of 44 caucus members are backing him against the federal Tories. One unnamed caucus member is staying neutral.

"If we are phoning MHAs (members of the house of assembly) and we're looking for support for ... the ABC campaign, that's in a positive manner," Williams said at the legislature Friday.

"There's no negativity. There's no threats. I don't get into threatening campaign workers. I don't get into threatening candidates. I can tell you right now, that's not my game."

Hearn told a radio talk show the province is living in a dictatorship under Williams.